Millie Small kickstarted her career at the age of 12 when she won popular Jamaican talent contest, the Vere Jones Opportunity Hour, in 1960.
Four years later, she released her own version of My Boy Lollipop, which soon dominated the UK and US charts.
Producer and founder of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, had become Miss Small’s manager following her local success on the contest and took her to London in 1963.
He helped produce the hit Ska single.
She has now been remembered as a sweet and special person following her death at the age of 72.
Mr Blackwell paid tribute to the singer.
Speaking to the Jamaican Observer, he said: “I would say she’s the person who took ska international because it was her first hit record.
“It became a hit pretty much everywhere in the world.
“I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows and such. It was just incredible how she handled it.
“She was such a sweet person, really a sweet person. Very funny, with a great sense of humour. She was really special.”
Landing at Kennedy International Airport on her first trip to the US, Miss Small’s flight was nicknamed the Lollipop Special as she enjoyed her chart success.
Met by adoring fans, photographers and journalists, she was handed the world’s largest lollipop as 30 police officers surrounded her to keep the crowd from touching her.
Although known as Millie, she was born Millicent Dolly May Small on October 6, 1947, in Clarendon, Jamaica.
Just one of 12 siblings, Miss Small was the daughter of a badly paid sugar plantation overseer.
On the 49th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence, on August 6, 2011, Miss Small was recognised for her contribution to the Jamaican music industry.
Former Prime Minister, Edward Seaga, accepted the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, on her behalf.
Although Miss Small released other music, she never again enjoyed as much success as had with My Boy Lollipop, which sold seven million copies.
She is survived by her daughter, Jaelee.